This time alone, they had brought back more than twenty thousand shi of grain and fodder, along with more cattle, sheep, chickens, and ducks than anyone could count.
The group would not go out again. They began preparing to move the supplies to Yanning Town, then cross the river.
By then, Tang Changsheng had already reached Yanning Town ahead of them to discuss boats with Zhang Bancheng. He offered to pay a handsome rental fee.
Zhang Bancheng was generous. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Those boats are sitting idle anyway. You can borrow them! I kept them as an escape route. If things went wrong, I could leave Wu Hou State at any time. But with the Peace Talismans from the Immortal Sects that you gave me, I won't need the boats for now!"
Tang Changsheng knew he meant it. Besides, although they had seized plenty of supplies, getting the refugees across the river and settling them on new land would cost a great deal. Better to save where they could.
He thanked Zhang Bancheng, then asked curiously, "Landowner Zhang, I've been here several times. Why haven't I seen your boats?"
There were a few boats at the Yanning Town docks, but nothing that would have drawn so much attention from Lü Yuanhua and Lu Yuanzhen.
Zhang Bancheng chuckled. "Come with me, Mage!"
He led Tang Changsheng behind the manor to the water's edge and pointed. Ripples spread across what had been an empty stretch of water.
One great ship after another appeared on the surface. The largest was at least twenty zhang long and could probably carry several hundred people in a single trip.
Three great ships stood side by side on the once-empty water.
An Illusion Spell? No, just an illusion talisman!
Tang Changsheng was